Media

2006 Press Releases

Billy Scott & the Prophets Will Heat Up Pavilion Stage Friday

July 24, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Fans of beach music will be delighted to see Billy Scott & the Prophets performing for the Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 28, at the Pavilion’s oceanfront stage. The concert is free and open to the public.

The seven members that make up Billy Scott & the Prophets have found great success in the beach music genre, but they have experience playing a variety of styles, including blues, Motown, retro, funk and oldies. Lead singer Billy Scott has been inducted into both the Beach Music Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. The group has even graced the stage with such music greats as The Temptations and The Commodores.

The summer-long concert series is part of the Sun Fun Summer of Celebration and the Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Farewell Season event lineup. The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

Band Brings Funk Sounds to Pavilion Sun Fun Concert Series

July 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – As part of the Celebration of Summer, the Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert series continues with funk band Soul Function, who will play a free concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 21, on the Pavilion’s oceanfront stage.

Soul Function brings soul, funk and fun to their shows as they perform songs by hit artists like Otis Redding and James Brown. A high-energy and highly entertaining band, Soul Function has played all over the Grand Strand, including the House of Blues, Dead Dog Saloon, Hot Fish Club and Causeway Bar & Grill.

The summer-long concert series is part of the Sun Fun Summer of Celebration and The Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Farewell Season event lineup. The concert series is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

Sun Fun Festival Announces Parade Float Winners

June 22, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Winners of the 55th Annual Sun Fun Parade float competition were announced at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce this week. Elaine Carter, Sun Fun Festival chairwoman, presented the winners with gold and red trophies.

For the second year in a row, Ripley’s Aquarium earned first place honors. Ripley’s Aquarium’s out-of-this-world, Mars-themed float, complete with a dancing Martian and beautiful mermaids, was designed to showcase its newest attraction, Mars: The Search for Life! Ripley’s Aquarium’s General Manager Peter MacIntyre and Education Director Kim Kiff accepted the first place trophy.

The second place winner was Century 21 Broadhurst with a float modeled after the enticing activities that go hand-in-hand with living in the Myrtle Beach area. A sandcastle with a “sold” sign on it was the float’s main feature, but the float also included activities that make Myrtle Beach a great place to live – biking, swimming, surfing, kite flying and baseball. Kim Dahlin headed up the float committee. Rachel Broadhurst, Leslie Blair and Linda Gilder accepted the award.

The Hawaiian Tropic Promotional Team won third place in the Sun Fun Festival parade. Decked out in their signature red tops and white shorts, the Hawaiian Tropic Promotional Team rode on an orange and red two-tiered float with special guest Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes.

The top three winners were chosen by three professional judges out of a total of 22 floats in the parade. For more information, visit SunFunFestival.com.

Concert Series Performer Puts Indie Spin on Country Music

June 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – As part of the Celebration of Summer, the Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert series continues with country rocker Ansel Brown, who will play this Friday, June 23. The free concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the Pavilion’s oceanfront stage.

Brown, a resident of Charlotte, calls the Carolinas home and brings a fresh face and fresh sound to the country music scene with a classy and uncompromising style. Brown delivers emotion and energy to his performances, engaging his listeners with power vocals that rock – country style. Brown’s self-titled debut album has allowed him to work with some of the most sought-after musicians and songwriters in country music, including writers for Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood.
The summer-long concert series is part of the Sun Fun Summer of Celebration and The Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Farewell Season event lineup.

One of the highlights of the concert series will be a performance in honor of Independence Day by General Johnson & the Chairmen of the Board. A favorite among residents and visitors alike, Chairmen of the Board will perform at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5.

The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

Summer Concert Series Features Local Ska Band

June 13, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert series welcomes the Bottle Cap Bandits, who will play the second show of the series on Friday, June 16. The free concert will begin at 7 p.m. on the Pavilion’s oceanfront stage.

Straight out of Myrtle Beach, the seven men that make up the Bottle Cap Bandits have played at several local venues including Monkey Business and The Soapbox. The band has refined their Ska style based on the influences of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake. The Bottle Cap Bandits also have a humanitarian side, playing their very first show for Hurricane Katrina Relief in August 2005.
The summer-long concert series is part of the Sun Fun Summer of Celebration and The Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Farewell Season event lineup.

One of the highlights of the concert series will be a performance in honor of Independence Day by General Johnson & Chairmen of the Board. A favorite among residents and visitors alike, Chairmen of the Board will perform from 7-10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5.

The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

World’s Tallest Sandcastle T-shirts on Sale Next Week

June 8, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – In honor of the World’s Tallest Sandcastle, a feature of the 55th annual Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach, retailer Native Sons is printing and will begin selling commemorative T-shirts.
The World’s Tallest Sandcastle T-shirts will be available next week for purchase in the Native Sons store at Broadway at the Beach. For those who like to shop online, SunFunFestival.com and NativeSons.com also will have T-shirts for sale.

The shirts feature a rendition of the World’s Tallest Sandcastle, the new world record, date of completion and location of the sandcastle, and are in a similar style as this year’s Sun Fun Festival apparel.
At a towering 32.49 feet, the World’s Tallest Sandcastle contains 2 million pounds of sand and is nearly 60 feet wide at its base. Team Sandtastic of Sarasota, Fla., completed the structure on Wednesday after only six days of sand sculpting. This is the second world record for the Myrtle Beach area. Myrtle Beach also has held the record for the World’s Longest Sand Sculpture since 1991, which measured more than 16 miles in length.

For more details, visit SunFunFestival.com.

Myrtle Beach Towers Over Competition
with World’s Tallest Sandcastle

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Myrtle Beach’s 2006 Sun Fun Festival has reached new heights and can now boast having created the World’s Tallest Sandcastle. The sandcastle, sponsored by Best Western of the Carolinas, was measured at a press conference Wednesday evening (June 7) and an independent surveyor with DDC Engineers Inc. confirmed the sandcastle is indeed taller than its record-holding predecessor.

“We’ve never backed away from a challenge and achieving the World’s Tallest Sandcastle proves that point,” said John Rhodes, mayor of the city of Myrtle Beach. “Myrtle Beach has proven it can reach astonishing heights and we’ll continue to amaze everyone for years to come. Now, I challenge anyone across the globe to try to beat our new world record.”

Towering at an astonishing 32.49 feet tall, the Sun Fun Festival sandcastle surpassed Parkfest’s record of 29.25 feet (Falmouth, Maine). The Sun Fun sandcastle also is more than 60 feet wide at its base and contains 1,800 cubic yards of sand, which equates to 2 million pounds of sand. Construction of the colossal creation took place May 31 - June 7.

“Accomplishing the World’s Tallest Sandcastle has been entertaining, exciting and impressive – fitting in perfectly with Myrtle Beach and the Sun Fun Festival,” said Elaine Carter, Carter, Sun Fun Committee chairwoman.

The Myrtle Beach area will hold two impressive records now that it has succeeded in building the World’s Tallest Sandcastle. The other Guinness World Record Myrtle Beach holds is the World’s Longest Sand Sculpture at 86,535 feet long.

The World’s Tallest Sandcastle was completed by Team Sandtastic, an ambitious team of six sandcastle sculptors from Sarasota, Fla. Team Sandtastic has earned several other impressive awards including first places in the World Championship Sand Sculpture Competition, The American Sand Sculpting Festival, The Southeast U.S. Championships and The Myrtle Beach Open. Based out of Sarasota, Fla., Team Sandtastic creates between 50 and 60 sand sculptures around the world on an annual basis.

The Sun Fun Festival Committee now has the challenge of collecting and submitting all necessary items and paperwork, including photos, videos, written confirmations from witnesses, official survey results and more, to Guinness World Records to officially certify and recognize the Sun Fun Festival’s sandcastle as a world record achievement. Once the items are submitted, it will take a minimum of 4-6 weeks to receive confirmation from Guinness World Records.

Summer Concert Series Heats up Friday Nights in Myrtle Beach

June 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH , S.C. – As part of the Myrtle Beach area’s Sun Fun Summer of Celebration, the Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert series welcomes Not Yet Rated, who will play a free concert beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 9, on the Pavilion’s oceanfront stage.

With their roots in Surfside Beach, the four men that make up Not Yet Rated are no strangers to the Grand Strand. While the rock band is currently unsigned, they have proved themselves worthy to audiences by playing at Barefoot Landing’s House of Blues and performing with fellow rockers .38 Special. Not Yet Rated also has remained active on the charity scene, playing at the Music for Life festival, where they raised money for a child’s cancer treatments.

The summer-long concert series is part of the Sun Fun Summer of Celebration and The Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Farewell Season event lineup.

One of the highlights of the concert series will be a performance in honor of Independence Day by General Johnson & Chairmen of the Board. A favorite among residents and visitors alike, Chairmen of the Board will perform on Wednesday, July 5.

The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series is sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

Myrtle Beach Resident Digs Her Way to
a 2006 Toyota Scion xB at Myrtle Beach’s Sun Fun Festival

June 6, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 55 th annual Sun Fun Festival ® took to the road this year with a new promotion, a car giveaway contest, and now Kerri Jo Pringle is behind the steering wheel. On June 3, Pringle, a 30 year old who hails from Myrtle Beach, was the lucky winner of the official Sun Fun car, a 2006 Toyota Scion xB wrapped in images representing the excitement of the Myrtle Beach area celebration.

In order to win the car, Pringle had to get down and dirty – in the sand.

“We had to dig through this big pile of sand with a Scion logo on it and I thought ‘How in the world am I going to find the right key with all these people and all that sand,’” said Pringle. “I really can’t believe I was the one who won the car. I’m still pinching myself because it feels like a dream. I keep looking out in my driveway to see if it’s true and then the excitement of winning hits me all over again.”

Spectators at the Sun Fun Festival cheered and laughed as the 13 contestants, one in knee pads with handheld sand diggers, charged a five foot sandcastle. The contestants began digging for keys, 22 in all, to find the one that fit the treasure chest lock that held the Sun Fun car’s keys. Pringle clawed her way to victory after nearly 20 minutes of tearing through the sand.

Although Pringle is thrilled almost to the point of giddy to win the Sun Fun car, she said it is in her nature to give rather than receive.

“I’m having a blast driving my new Scion,” said Pringle. “But I think I’ll end up giving it to my niece in two years when she turns 16. Until then, watch out for me on the road!”

The Sun fun Car was purchased from Sparks Toyota in Myrtle Beach and is valued at more than $15,500. Contestants were chosen from both Web site entries at SunFunFestival.com and by winning contests on local and regional radio, television stations and newspapers.

For more information, please visit SunFunFestival.com.

Web Site Tracks World’s Tallest Sandcastle Attempt Live

June 2, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The World’s Tallest Sandcastle Attempt presented by Best Western Hotels of the Carolinas is now on the Sun Fun Festival’s Web site (SunFunFestival.com). The attempt will be broadcast live via streaming video, courtesy of WPDE-TV 15.

When finished, the sandcastle will be 60 feet wide at its base and will stand at an astonishing 35 feet tall, more than five feet taller than the previous record held by Park Fest in Falmouth, Maine. This may be the second world record for Myrtle Beach, a city that also holds the title for the World’s Longest Sand Sculpture since 1991.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

Live Sun Fun Coverage Provided by HTC

May 30, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Horry Telephone Cooperative Inc. (HTC) is bringing the excitement and fun of the 55th annual Sun Fun Festival® into homes across the country, and the world, with streaming video on the Internet as HTC broadcasts live for the first time from the Sun Fun Festival.

Viewers will be able to enjoy key Sun Fun Festival events online at SCCoast.net, HTCinc.net and SunFunFestival.com.

“HTC is proud to provide the wireless connection that enables this first ever Web cast for the 55th annual Sun Fun Parade and events,” said Cricket Alcorn, HTC communications and public relations supervisor. “We hope our customers and visitors alike will enjoy the convenience of watching the Sun Fun activities live on the Internet.”

Live events will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, with the Sun Fun parade, followed by special interviews and highlights of the Official Kickoff Ceremony. Then HTC is back live with the Bikini Wahine Pageant. Viewers also will be able to enjoy Friday’s Miss Sun Fun USA and Miss Sun Fun Teen USA Pageants on the Interne on Saturday. The online videos will be stored and available for viewing on the Web sites after the events have taken place.

“We are thrilled to partner with HTC and excited to be able to bring the Sun Fun Festival those who cannot attend the events,” said Stephen Greene, vice president of festivals and special events for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, who organizes the festival.

HTC will use wireless technology in order to accomplish the live video. Equipment mounted on top of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center will allow point-to-point connection to the Myrtle Beach Pavilion, where many of the festival’s events take place.

HTC, Inc. is the nation’s largest telephone cooperative and the 25th largest telephone company. Founded in 1952, HTC celebrates more than 50 years of service to the community as a local communications leader. HTC offers local telephone service, long distance, digital wireless, digital cable, HTC broadband high-speed Internet access, business services and paging. HTC Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of HTC Inc., offers local telephone service in the city of Conway, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Pawleys Island and Georgetown. A full menu of communications services are available from HTC Communications including local telephone service, cable, Internet access, cable modems, DSL, long distance and digital wireless service.

Sun Fun Kickoff Ceremony Features Sky Divers, Hula & Fire Show

May 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 55th annual Sun Fun Festival presented by Hawaiian Tropic will officially commence at the Kickoff Ceremony at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 2, at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s boardwalk stage on Ocean Boulevard between 8th and 9th avenues north.

Emcee and regional celebrity, WIS TV’s Joe Pinner, will welcome locals and visitors to the festival. Then all eyes will be on the sky to watch the Carolina Sky Diving Team make their descent toward the stage followed by a colorful smoke trail. After landing, the team will present the American flag to the Myrtle Beach High School Honor Guard, who will raise the flag on the Pavilion’s flag pole. The Carolina Opry’s Steve Sifford will sing the American Anthem a cappella as the flag is raised.

Pinner will then introduce special guests, who will welcome the crowd. Special guests include Wayne Gray, chairman of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce; Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes; Surfside Beach Mayor Roy Hyman; North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley; and Liz Gilland, chairwoman of Horry County Council.

The Skyriders Acrobatic Trampoline Team will then amaze spectators with their highflying trampoline stunts. After their performance, Elaine Carter, chairwoman of the Sun Fun Festival Committee, will talk about the excitement of the Sun Fun Festival.

Spectators will get a treat as the ceremony ends with the sights and sounds of Chief Kamu’s Hula & Fire Show.

The Sun Fun Festival Official Kickoff Ceremony is free and open to the public.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

Hollywood Comes to Myrtle Beach Sun Fun Festival

May 23, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 55th annual Sun Fun Festival is bringing a little bit of Hollywood to the Myrtle Beach area. Stars from Survivor, “All My Children” and Miss USA Pageants, along with regionally recognized celebrities, will participate in the Wendy’s Sun Fun Parade beginning at 10 a.m. and a meet and greet from noon-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3.

Sun Fun Festival celebrities include Rupert Boneham from “Survivor;” Jeff Branson, who plays Jonathan Lavery on “All My Children;” Leven Rambin, who plays Lily Montgomery on “All My Children;” Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley; and regionally recognized Joe Pinner, 30-year veteran at WIS-TV in Columbia.

After finishing eighth and becoming the second juror in “Survivor: Pearl Islands,” Rupert Boneham’s popularity soared. Boneham currently lives in Indianapolis, where he works as a vocational and clinical mentor for troubled teens. Boneham describes himself as smart, brave and strong.

Jeff Branson, also known as Jonathan Lavery on “All My Children,” joined the cast in 2004. Branson has appeared in the feature films “Shaft” and “Big Kahuna,” along with starting roles in several independent films. Branson also performed in several off-Broadway shows and guest starred on the small screen’s “Law & Order” and “Strangers with Candy.” In 2003, Branson played the role of young Alan Spalding in “The Guiding Light” and appeared on “One Life to Live.” Leven Rambin, who plays Lily Montgomery on “All My Children,” began her acting career in school plays. After studying at the Houston School of Film and Theatre, Rambin was cast in “All My Children,” her first professional acting role. In her off time, Rambin focuses on schoolwork, working with her tutor, studying her lines and answering questions from fans on her Web site.

Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley not only will be participating in the parade and meet and greet, she will be attending the Sun Fun Festival’s Kickoff Ceremony at 3 p.m. on June 2 at the Pavilion’s oceanfront stage. She also will be emceeing the 55th annual Sun Fun Festival’s Miss Sun Fun USA and Miss Sun Fun Teen USA pageants at 4 p.m. on June 2 at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Attic. Cooley, a 22-year-old fashion marketing student, is the first woman from North Carolina to bring home the Miss USA crown. A junior at the Art Institute of Charlotte, Cooley has worked extensively with Toys for Tots, the Special Olympics and Flames to Blame, an organization designed to provide fire prevention education for all ages. Cooley has been seen recently on reality television shows “Deal or No Deal” and “Celebrity Cooking Showdown.”

Joe Pinner has worked with WIS-TV since 1963 in a variety of different ways, including anchor of the “7:00 Report,” weatherman for WIS “Live at 5,” co-host of WIS “News Midday” and host of “The Knozit Show.” Although Pinner’s schedule has slowed recently, he still can be seen on various WIS newscasts on Fridays and is hosts “Carolina Magazine” on Wednesdays. Pinner is involved in several community and charity organizations including the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Palmetto Chapter, South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra youth concerts and more. Pinner has received many awards and recognitions including the national George Foster Peabody, the South Carolina Tourism Award, the Order of the Palmetto, Columbia Music Festival Association’s Lyre Award, Columbia College Medallion, the Masters Award from the S.C. Broadcasters Association, an S.C. Hall of Fame inductee, and many more.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

New Sun Fun Festival Apparel Debuts

May 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – As the Grand Strand gears up for the Hawaiian Tropic 55th annual Sun Fun Festival®, residents and visitors can get into the spirit by donning this year’s Sun Fun logo on everything from T-shirts and polo shirts to hats and visors.

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with Native Sons of Myrtle Beach to produce a line of Sun Fun apparel, including the official 2006 Sun Fun Festival T-shirt. In addition to the official design, the company created several logo variations to adorn shirts and other apparel.

“The professionally created apparel is a perfect complement to the Sun Fun Festival, which is growing in a new direction,” said Stephen Greene, vice president of festivals and special events for the chamber. “We expect the T-shirts and other merchandise to be extremely popular with locals and visitors before, during and long after the festival.”

The 55th Annual Sun Fun Festival is the official kickoff to summer and will feature the World’s Tallest Sandcastle Attempt sponsored by Best Western of the Carolinas, a concert by Montgomery Gentry, the Miss Sun Fun USA and Miss Sun Fun Teen USA pageants, the Wendy’s Sun Fun parade, a beach run, sporting events, concerts, a kids’ fair, fireworks and more.

For more information about the Hawaiian Tropic 55th annual Sun Fun Festival, call (843) 626-7444 or SunFunFestival.com.

New Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival Coming to Myrtle Beach

May 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – A new festival will wrap up the Sun Fun Summer of Celebration on Labor Day Weekend. The inaugural Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival will take place from Sept. 1-Sept. 2, 2006, at Myrtle Beach’s Valor Park area at the former Air Force base. The festival will feature family-friendly entertainment and events including bands, a barbecue competition, a car show, a kids’ area and more.

“The Myrtle Beach area is known for its beautiful beaches, great music and family entertainment,” said Stephen Greene, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of festivals and special events. “We hope Beach, Boogie & BBQ will become a tradition for many locals and visitors for years to come.”

The Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival will feature the barbecue competition Smoke on the Beach presented by the Omar Shrine Temple. This mouth-watering competition will have cash prizes worth more than $5,000. After the cooking and judging, the public will get a chance to sample the barbecue.

The Myrtle Beach Car Club also has committed to be part of the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival. The club’s car show, Wheels at the Beach, will take place from 2-7 p.m. on Sept. 2 with all proceeds benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Trophies will be awarded for several categories including best of show, people’s choice and best work in progress, among others.

The festival also will feature an outdoor movie, activities for kids and the sounds of several beach bands.
For more information and for registration information for the barbecue competition or the car show, visit SunFunFestival.com.

Sun Fun is Giving Away a New Toyota Scion xB

May 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 55th Annual Sun Fun Festival is taking its newest promotion on the road. For the first time ever, the Sun Fun Festival has an official car, a 2006 Toyota Scion xB wrapped in images representing the excitement of the Myrtle Beach area celebration, and one lucky person will win the car during the Sun Fun Festival.

“Giving away a car is definitely something new for the Sun Fun Festival,” said Elaine Carter, Sun Fun Festival chairwoman. “The car giveaway is just one more element we’re adding to the festival and one more way we’re increasing the excitement and fun of the festival.”

Those interested in being one of the lucky contestants to compete for the car can register in one of two ways: on the Internet at SunFunFestival.com or by winning contests on local radio and television stations, or in local newspapers. Up to twenty people will be chosen from the Web site entries and media contests for the chance to compete for the car.

On Saturday, June 3, at 12:30 p.m., the selected contestants will charge a sandcastle and dig for the keys in hopes of winning the Sun Fun Car. Spectators can watch the competition, which takes place beachfront at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion, for free.

The Sun Fun Car Giveaway Contest is open to legal U.S. residents, excluding Florida and New York, age 18 or older as of April 18, 2006, who will be available and ready to participate at the Sun Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach, S.C., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 3, 2006. The Sun Fun Festival will accept only one entry per person.

The Sun Fun Car Giveaway Contest was promoted throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia as part of a Weather.com promotion with The Weather Channel. The car will be featured at Darlington Raceway’s NASCAR Dodge Charger 500.

The Sun Fun Car was purchased from Sparks Toyota in Myrtle Beach and is valued at more than $15,500.

For more information and a complete list of rules and regulations, please visit SunFunFestival.com.

Summer of Celebration Concert Series Announced

May 2, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – A new, summer-long concert series featuring nationally-recognized bands, regional bands and local bands was announced today as part of the Sun Fun Summer of Celebration and The Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Farewell Season event lineup.

The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series will take place at the Pavilion’s oceanfront concert stage on the boardwalk between 8th and 9th avenues north. The concerts will be free to the public and will take place on Friday evenings throughout the summer.

One of the highlights of the concert series will be a performance in honor of Independence Day by Chairmen of Board. A favorite among residents and visitors alike, Chairmen of the Board will perform on Wednesday, July 5. More concerts will be announced in the near future.

The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concerts were designed to be community events for locals and tourists. The Sun Fun Festival Committee is seeking local and regional bands interested in playing for the concert series. To submit band information, please drop off a demo CD, pricing and contact information to the chamber’s Myrtle Beach office on the corner of Oak Street and 12th Avenue North or mail to Attn: Sun Fun Concert Series, P.O. Box 2015, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29578.

The Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series is sponsored by the Pavilion and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit SunFunFestival.com.

Sun Fun Grows Into a Summer of Celebration

May 2, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 55th annual Sun Fun Festival® will continue to kickoff the summer season the first weekend in June, but this year the excitement of Sun Fun will last through Labor Day Weekend during A Celebration of Summer®, featuring family-oriented special events and promotions.

“The popularity of the Sun Fun Festival has inspired us to create festive events the entire summer that will be synonymous with this popular festival’s moniker,” said Stephen Greene, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of festivals and special events. “We believe this effort not only will be an added benefit for visitors coming to the Grand Strand, but also will increase the area’s visibility and profitability through the promotion of A Celebration of Summer events.”

A Celebration of Summer will begin with the Myrtle Beach area’s traditional Sun Fun Festival, which will take place June 1-5. The Sun Fun Festival is the official kickoff to summer and will feature the World’s Tallest Sandcastle Attempt sponsored by Best Western of the Carolinas, a concert by Montgomery Gentry, the Miss Sun Fun USA® and Miss Sun Fun Teen USA® pageants, the Wendy’s Sun Fun parade, a beach run, sporting events, concerts, a kids’ fair, fireworks and more.

The summer-long celebration will continue with the Pavilion Farewell Season Sun Fun Concert Series. The concert series will be held Fridays at the Pavilion’s oceanfront boardwalk stage. The concerts will be free to the public. Look for upcoming announcements in the near future.

A Celebration of Summer will wrap up with the newly-created Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival that will take place Sept. 1-2 at the former Air Force base’s Valor Park area.

For more information, call (843) 626-7444 or visit SunFunFestival.com.

Miss USA Scheduled to Host Sun Fun Festival Pageants

May 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 55th annual Sun Fun Festival’s Miss Sun Fun USA and Miss Sun Fun Teen USA pageants will be hosted and emceed by special guest and national celebrity Miss USA® 2005 Chelsea Cooley. This is the first time a Miss USA has emceed the Sun Fun pageants, which will be held at 4 p.m. on June 2 at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion’s Attic.

Cooley, who is from nearby Charlotte, N.C., is familiar with the Myrtle Beach area and the annual Sun Fun Festival.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the great South Carolina tradition that is the Miss Sun Fun USA pageant,” said Cooley. “This really is such a treat for me.”

The Sun Fun pageants are preliminaries to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. The reigning Miss Sun Fun® USA Joycelyn McElveen and the reigning Miss Sun Fun Teen® USA Marlana Carter also will attend the pageants.

Locals and visitors to the Myrtle Beach area will get the chance to meet Miss USA 2005 at the Sun Fun Festival’s Kickoff Ceremony at 3 p.m. on June 2. The kick off ceremony is free to the public and will take place at the Pavilion’s boardwalk stage.

Cooley, a 22-year-old fashion marketing student, is the first woman from North Carolina to bring home the Miss USA crown. A junior at the Art Institute of Charlotte, Cooley has worked extensively with Toys for Tots, the Special Olympics and Flames to Blame, an organization designed to provide fire prevention education for all ages.

As Miss USA 2005, Cooley spent the first part of her reigning year championing the official causes of MISS USA®, which includes breast and ovarian cancer education, research and legislation.

Cooley has been seen recently on reality television shows “Deal or No Deal” and “Celebrity Cooking Showdown.” Cooley also spends much of her spare time dancing S.C.’s official dance, the Shag.
The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcasting Company Inc. (NBC) partnership.

The Sun Fun Festival is organized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit SunFunFestival.com.

Student Sandcastle Designs Sought for World’s Tallest Sandcastle

April 6, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The 55th annual Sun Fun Festival® Committee is inviting students to create an original sandcastle design to celebrate the festival’s attempt at breaking the record for the world’s tallest sandcastle. The World’s Tallest Sandcastle Attempt presented by Best Western of the Carolinas will take place May 31-June 7. When completed, the sandcastle will be 60 feet wide at its base, use 70 dump truck loads of sand (1,200 cubic tons) and will stand at a towering 35 feet tall.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can submit a drawing or painting of their sandcastle design and the winner will receive a total of $1,000: a $500 cash prize for the winner and a $500 cash prize for the winner’s grade or school art class.

“Building the world’s tallest sandcastle is an exceptionally artistic feat taking a great deal of imagination. We’re looking forward to seeing students’ ideas on what they think the world’s largest sandcastle should look like,” said Elaine Carter, festival chairwoman. “We’ll be judging the designs on creativity, uniqueness and individuality so it’s quite possible that a ten year old could beat a 10th grader.”

Although the winners’ designs will not be used to build the world’s tallest sandcastle, they may be used in marketing materials promoting the world record attempt. The designs also may be used to build smaller sandcastles around the world’s tallest sandcastle.

Sandcastle designs should incorporate the theme “Summer Starts Here” and must be a drawing or painting on an 11 x 17 piece of paper. Clip art and the reproduction, in part or in whole, of existing art or logos will not be accepted. There can only be one submission per person, although there can be several submissions per class or school. The artist’s name, age and phone number, along with his or her school name, address, phone number and art teacher’s name must accompany the submission. All entries will become the property of the Sun Fun Festival.

Contest submission forms can be downloaded at SunFunFestival.com. All entries must be either hand-delivered to the chamber’s Myrtle Beach office at 1200 N. Oak St. or mailed to P.O. Box 21158, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29578, no later than May 1, 2006.

For more information, please contact Holly McMillan at (843) 916-7239.

Sun Fun Festival Will Attempt to Build the World’s Tallest Sandcastle

April 4, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. –The 55th annual Sun Fun Festival® will attempt to break the current record for the world’s tallest sandcastle. A highlight of the festival, the World’s Tallest Sandcastle Attempt presented by Best Western of the Carolinas will be built from May 31-June 7, 2006, on the ocean side of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park’s boardwalk.

When completed, the Myrtle Beach area’s sandcastle will be 60 feet wide at its base, use 70 dump truck loads of sand (1,200 cubic tons) and will stand at a towering 35 feet tall, more than 5 ½ feet taller than the current record of 29.25 feet held by Parkfest in Falmount, Maine, since 2003. The chamber’s Myrtle Beach welcome center stands at less than 25 feet tall, more than 10 feet shorter than the sandcastle’s forecasted height.

“The Myrtle Beach area is known for 60 miles of beautiful beaches. It’s a shame Maine currently holds the title for the tallest sandcastle when it should be one of Myrtle Beach’s many accolades,” said Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes. “Soon, the Myrtle Beach sandcastle will be the one to beat. We challenge Maine, or anyone else, to beat our new sandcastle record.”

Currently the Myrtle Beach area holds the Guinness World Record for the Longest Sand Sculpture.
“The sandcastle has always been a signature event for the Sun Fun Festival and this year we wanted to take that to a new level,” explains Elaine Carter, Sun Fun Committee chairwoman. “We look forward to adding this world record to the festival’s many accomplishments.”

Team Sandtastic has been contracted to sculpt the sandcastle and the team will consist of eight seasoned sandcastle sculptors who have won many awards, including first places in the World Championship Sand Sculpture Competition, The American Sand Sculpting Festival, The Southeast U.S. Championships and The Myrtle Beach Open. Based out of Sarasota, Fla., Team Sandtastic creates 50-60 sand sculptures throughout the world on a yearly basis.

For more information, visit SunFunFestival.com or call (843) 626-7444.

APBA Personal Watercraft racing is coming to the Sun Fun Festival!

Surf and Turf Promotions, 71 3rd Ave. Shalimar, FL 32579 (850) 376-5495

For Immediate Release…

The 9th Annual Sea Doo Surf and Turf Championships presented by the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, EZ Dock, and Redline Powersports, will make its first appearance at the Myrtle Beach Sun Fun Festival. The event will take place on June 3rd (10am-5pm) and 4th (11am-4pm), behind the Springmaid Resort on the beach. The event is a high-energy show with live professional announcing, great racing, and lots of crowd participation. This is the longest running Jet Ski racing series in the Southeastern United States. This event will mark the first two rounds of the East Coast Cup Series which also travels to Ohio and New York.

Surf and Turf Promotions, of Shalimar, Florida will produce the race, “I am very excited about coming to Myrtle Beach for this event, this is only the second time that sanctioned Personal Watercraft racing has been held in South Carolina”, said Mike Young the managing director. Young said that he expects more than 100 racers, from all over the US and Canada to compete at the event in Closed Course racing and Freestyle for the East Coast Cup Titles and a chance to race at the prestigious World Finals held in October at Lake Havasu City, Arizona. He also acknowledged all the help that he has received from Stephen Greene and Holly McMillan at the Chamber of Commerce, “This event would not have been possible without their assistance”.

Along with racing there will be contests for the crowd and plenty of free giveaways. There will also be some vendors on hand showing their wares and autograph sessions so the kids can meet the top Pro’s. The events are FREE to the public and will be fun for the whole family, but, don’t forget your beach chair and your Hawaiian Tropic tanning butter and some enthusiasm for this high-speed, full-contact fiberglass warfare event. There will be no swimming on or near the race site. For registration forms go to pwcfun.com and for more event info log on to apbaracing.com or contact Surf and Turf Promotions at (850) 376-5495.

Schedule of Events

*All events will be held behind the Springmaid resort except the Freestyle Shows and autograph sessions, which will be held at the pavilion.

Opening Act Announced For Montgomery Gentry Show

Trent Tomlinson To Open Concert Presented by Carolina Cooling & Plumbing

MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Up and coming country artist Trent Tomlinson has just been announced as the opening act for the Montgomery Gentry show at Coastal Federal Field on June 2, 2006. Tomlinson, who just released his debut album and already has his first single, “Drunker Than Me,” in the country radio Top 20, will warm up the crowd before Montgomery Gentry takes the stage.

Tomlinson’s debut CD, “Country Is My Rock,” has seen a burst of success since it’s release on March 7 th. The first single from the album, “Drunker Than Me,” is the fastest moving single from a new male artist this year on the country charts. The native of Kennett, Missouri (the same hometown as Sheryl Crow), is currently getting ready for a 21 show tour starting in late March.

Tomlinson who describes his music as “ Open a beer, sit in a lawn chair, let's have a party country,” brings the party to Coastal Federal Field on June 2 nd.

Tickets for the Montgomery Gentry featuring Trent Tomlinson will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 25 at 10 am. Fans can purchase tickets exclusively at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans box office located at Coastal Federal Field. Fans may also order tickets by calling 843-918-6095 or toll free at 877-918-TIXX (8499). Online ticket sales will also be available at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com. Cost for all general admission tickets is set at $42.50 (plus tax and fees) if purchased before April 12. After April 12 all general admission tickets will be priced at $49.50 (plus tax and fees).

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV , WRAL Digital , WRAL-FM , Microspace , the North Carolina News Network , DTV Plus and Wolfpack Sports Marketing in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WWWB-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and The Durham Bulls in Durham, NC; the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; and various real estate interests in North Carolina.

Montgomery Gentry To Rock Coastal Federal Field

Concert Presented by Carolina Cooling & Plumbing

MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Carolina Cooling & Plumbing presents Montgomery Gentry live at the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Team as part of the 55th Annual Sun Fun Festival. Myrtle Beach will have “something to be proud of” on Friday, June 2 at 7:30 pm when the country music superstars take the stage at Coastal Federal Field.

Montgomery Gentry has taken the country music world by storm since the turn of the century. They have performed for millions of fans during their star-studded career as a duo. In 2000, Montgomery Gentry was named the CMA “Duo of the Year” and they also won the Academy of Country Music Award for “Top New Vocal Group or Duo.” One year later, In 2001, they won the Radio & Records Readers’ Poll Award for “Top Country Duo.” Most recently they celebrated their 3 rd Platinum album, “You Do Your Thing,” featuring #1 single “Something To Be Proud Of,” which stood at the top of the Billboard and R+R Country Music Charts for two straight weeks in 2005. The boys just released a “Best of” album this past November.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 25 at 10 am. Fans can purchase tickets exclusively at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans box office located at Coastal Federal Field. Fans may also order tickets by calling 843-918-6095 or toll free at 877-918-TIXX (8499). Online ticket sales will also be available at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com. Cost for all general admission tickets is set at $42.50 (plus tax and fees) if purchased before April 12. After April 12 all general admission tickets will be priced at $49.50 (plus tax and fees).

A schedule of events will be released once it has been determined.

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV , WRAL Digital , WRAL-FM , Microspace , the North Carolina News Network , DTV Plus and Wolfpack Sports Marketing in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WWWB-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and The Durham Bulls in Durham, NC; the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; and various real estate interests in North Carolina.

For more information about the 55th annual Sun Fun Festival®, call (843) 916-7239.